Who we are 

The Specialist Mood Disorder Service provides comprehensive, evidence-based treatments for individuals experiencing treatment-resistant mood disorders. Our service supports consumers already engaged with Gold Coast public mental health services who require advanced interventions beyond standard care.

What we do  

We deliver specialised programs and therapies designed to improve outcomes for complex mental health conditions, including major depression, bipolar disorder, mania, delirium and psychosis.

Specialised Treatments

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): Modern ECT is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for severe mental health conditions such as major depression, bipolar disorder and psychotic illnesses. Advances in technology and anaesthetic techniques have significantly improved safety, comfort and quality of care.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS): rTMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation therapy that uses magnetic fields to activate specific brain regions. Sessions take 15–45 minutes, delivered on consecutive weekdays for inpatients and outpatients. Unlike ECT, rTMS does not require anaesthesia and patients remain fully awake throughout treatment. The therapy is currently available for treatment-resistant depression.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS): A gentle, non-invasive technique that uses low-level electrical currents to modulate brain activity, supporting recovery in mood disorders.

Additional Services

Specialised clinics for antipsychotic depot injections and intranasal ketamine for treatment-resistant depression

Comprehensive assessments and tailored treatment planning

Education programs, including:

• Mood School for clinicians
• Mood Matters group for consumers

Who can access this service

These therapies are accessible to adults experiencing treatment-resistant mental health conditions who are currently engaged with Gold Coast public mental health services and require specialised interventions beyond standard treatment approaches. 

How to access this service  

Access is via referral from a treating clinician within Gold Coast Health’s mental health services to ensure suitability and alignment with recovery needs.

Referrals are typically initiated by:

• Psychiatrists or Registrars
• Mental Health Community Teams
• Inpatient Units

Once a referral is received, our team conducts a comprehensive assessment to determine the most appropriate treatment options, which may include ECT, rTMS, tDCS or other specialised interventions.